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Review

2007
Nissan
Versa Review

The 2007 Nissan Versa debuts this year. It classifies as a subcompact four-door, and the smallest car in Nissan’s line of vehicles. It sells as either a hatchback or a sedan and makes an attractive vehicle for drivers concerned about rising fuel prices. The Nissan Versa comes in two trim levels: the 1.8 S and 1.8 SL. Both models contain a four-cylinder engine and a standard manual transmission. Still, an automatic transmission remains available for the Versa 1.8 and a CVT for on the 1.8 SL.

The Range

What's New

The 2007 Nissan Versa starts new for the model year. It provides a four-door subcompact (hatchback or sedan) that offers excellent fuel economy, a spacious interior, and more standard features than other vehicles in its class.

Exterior

The 2007 Nissan Versa hatchback gains popularity for its sporty looks. It features short overhangs, so the wheels sit close to the nose and tail. Its exceptionally short rear overhang makes it look larger than its actual measurements. From the front, its prominent grille and triangular-shaped headlights look like they come from a more expensive car. Trapezoid-shaped taillights grace the back of the body.

The sedan has more traditional looks. Both models feature 15-inch wheels. Standard equipment on the base Versa 1.8 S includes variable intermittent wipers and a rear defogger. The hatchback adds a rear window wiper. The Nissan Versa 1.8 SL adds all-season tires, power door locks, power windows, and power mirrors.

Optional equipment for the Versa 1.8 S includes a rear roof spoiler, floor mats, splash guards, and an aluminum kick plate. A Power package adds power windows, power door locks, and remote keyless entry.

Interior

The interior of the Versa feels spacious and uses fine materials. It has a tall roof which provides headroom for tall adults, even in the back seat. Legroom seems ample, as well. Rear-seat legroom totals 38 inches, exceptional for a vehicle of this size. The back seat fits three, but the person in the center seat feels cramped.

The gauges and controls prove easy to reach and simple to use. If outfitted with a split-folding seat, it does not fold flat, but it does offer additional cargo space when folded down. The trunk provides 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space (17.8 cubic feet in the hatchback); with the rear seat folded down, cargo space stretches to 50.4 cubic feet.

Standard equipment for the interior of the 207 Nissan Versa includes cloth upholstery, bucket front seats, electric speed-proportional power steering, retained accessory power, a 12V power outlet, a tilt steering wheel, interior air filtration, air-conditioning, a tachometer, and a 120-watt, AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers. Standard equipment in the hatchback includes a split-folding rear seatback.

The 1.8 SL adds a remote anti-theft alarm system with an engine immobilizer, a driver’s seat with height adjustment, a split-folding rear seatback, cruise control, an overhead console with storage, a tilt steering wheel with cruise control functions, and a 180-watt, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with a six-disc CD changer, speed-sensitive volume control, a radio data system, and six speakers.

Options on the Versa 1.8 SL include satellite radio. The Convenience package adds Intelligent Key keyless entry and ignition, Bluetooth connectivity, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio control functions. The Audio package adds a Rockford Fosgate audio system with premium speakers and a subwoofer.

Performance & Handling

The Versa offers a fun drive. It zips along, with good acceleration, though you may not like the sound of the engine revving up. Performance gets better with the CVT than the four-speed automatic. Around town, the CVT gets the same gas mileage as the car equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. Steering proves responsive, and the ride quality feels good.

Safety

Standard safety equipment includes tire pressure monitoring, front seat-mounted side airbags, and full side-curtain airbags. ABS with brake assist remains optional. In government crash testing, the Versa earns four stars (out of five) for front-seat protection in frontal-impact crashes and five stars for side impacts.